Managing Director, Food

The Managing Director, Food will oversee the development and planning of a multi-year, goal-driven initiative that will ultimately improve the wellbeing of poor and vulnerable people. This will require partnering closely with the Foundation President, the Food team and other staff to design the strategy, as well as a broader community of grantees, stakeholders, and strategic partners. These partnerships could take a variety of forms, ranging from traditional grant structures to Program-Related Investments and other financing mechanisms. As we plot the course for our next major investment in food, the Foundation is seeking a new visionary leader to design and guide the work. While there remains significant room for the Lead to shape the Foundation’s future priorities and approach, in broad terms the next food initiative will focus on advancing a nourishing and sustainable food system for all. Building on our history, the Foundation anticipates the strategy will include supporting breakthrough technologies and new frontiers of applied research, as well as exploring innovative business and partnership models. The application of new science or technology to nutrient-dense value chains and developing markets is of particular interest. Illustrative topics we may explore include controlled production of nutrient-dense foods (e.g., animal protein, leafy greens, legumes), application of “big” agricultural data to horticultural crops, and next-generation aquaculture.

The Managing Director, Food will oversee a core team of Foundation staff, and partner with them effectively to achieve the Food initiative’s objectives. Responsibilities will include: Expanding the Foundation’s presence on the frontiers of food-related science and innovation; building relationships with thought leaders, scientists, entrepreneurs, policy-makers and activists to inform and animate the work. Lead the development of a goal, strategy, and plan for the Foundation’s signature initiative in food; rapidly stress-test the emerging strategy; effectively and judiciously engage external stakeholders, design effective partnerships; and help to recruit high-caliber new talent to support the work. This role is based in New York, NY, and reports to Dr. Rajiv Shah, President of the Rockefeller Foundation.